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Family Ministries St. Brendan's Parish
Parish Background St. Brendan's Parish, Kitete, Tanzania was founded in 1964. Under its parochial umbrella, there are 12 sub-parishes, which cater to 19,650 Catholics. In September 2000, the Congregation of Holy Cross, District of East Africa assumed pastoral responsibility for the parish under Rev. George Muganyizi CSC, assisted by Rev. Thomas Smith CSC, Rev. Bill Blum CSC, Rev Andrew Massawe CSC. After consultation with sub-parish communities, the priorities are: spiritual development through small church communities, education, health care, human and social development. To address these needs, the parish established the Agro-Technical Education Center in 2001 and the health care facility at Lostete in 2001. Furthermore, a women's group was formed to work towards improving family and child care and increasing family income. Currently, the pastoral team consists of two Holy Cross priests, Rev. Aristides Massawe CSC and Rev. Comfort Agele CSC, who continue the work of evangelization, faith-building, family and career education, health care and social development in the large faith community. Small church communities, the pastoral council and catechists assist the pastoral team by providing para-liturgical services, retreats, religious education, sacramental preparation and family outreach. St. Brendan's Parish Ministries Audrey Veldman Agro-Technical Education Center The Agro-Technical Education Center was founded in 2001 to foster faith in young people and educate on career development. In phase one, the Center began educating young women in skills and academics, including sewing, knitting, crop management, animal husbandry, mathematics, English, civics, home management, physical and religious education. In January 2005, phase two, a young men's division will open, and will include career training in carpentry, masonry and computer literacy along with the above academic courses.
Lostete Clinic In 2002, the parish built and staffed a healthcare facility at Lostete. The clinic has ten beds and is managed by a medical specialist and two nurses who live on campus with their families. Recently, clean water has been piped to this facility and the nearby community. Families in remote areas now have basic medical services available to them at a two hour walking distance or less, rather than the previous 5 hours. 30-40 patients walk in each day. The parish contributes to the salaries and medical supplies, and hopes to establish an outreach program to provide greater health care services.
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